It is impossible to play

B

BillyKoda

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
your A game when you don't feel well. I still play a good game but not my best. My health has been going down hill for over 3 years and I'm at the point of giving pool up. Very frustrating. I'm going to a tournament today and will probably just watch because if I can't play the game that's the next best thing. I'm just venting but thanks for reading. :(
 
Couldn't agree more

I've had some health issues for the last year or so(I'm 33 feel like 83) and my ability to concentrate just isn't there. I can play up to my ability is stretches but never for more than maybe 30 min at a time. My back won't allow me to play pool for long periods and at times it won't allow me to play at all. I live with constant headaches brought on by God knows what. I've had vertigo for the last 15 years and while it's mostly at bay now it sometimes comes on while I'm watching a ball roll across the table. Most people can't imagine what it's like to be perfectly fine for 20, 50, 100 shots in a row and suddenly everything is blurry. I just have to sit down for a min sometimes but then sometimes mid-runout it will come on and I most often choose to just keep going and without fail I fail at the task at hand. It frustrates me to a point I can't possibly put into words. The only thing that keeps me from playing pool at an extremely high level is out of my control and keeps me from trying to. I hardly play any pool at all because of it but when I do play I enjoy it. Guess I'm just a glutton for punishment :-)

I mean I ran 6 racks the other day and 5 min later I couldn't hardly stand up straight....

Best wishes to you, sir.
 
Best wishes to you too.

Playing for end of year honors (in my little pool world) last year I almost dropped out after my first match. When my second match was called I said what the hell, go for it. I ended up winning the thing. I never know what's going to happen from minute to minute. I don't remember much about the tournament except for how bad I was feeling.
 
Sorry to hear that your health is fading. I admire that you still want to enjoy the game in whatever way you can though. Best wishes for better health in the future.
 
You guys have some serious firepower in Maine, try thinking about that rather than knocking you'r own game! :wink:
 
I understand this completely. I have had back trouble for 28 years now and have tried to play with it for a long time. One thing about a bad back is you never know when it is going to hurt the worst. Like you said you can play like an A player and all of a sudden you look like you have never held a stick. Unless you have had health issues you can never relate to things like this. I just play the best I can at the time and except it when I don't play as good as I know I can when it happens. I love playing people that know I have this trouble because they never know what player will show up and they know it is always a chance of them getting beat. Just play you best and enjoy the game all you can. One thing for sure. No matter how good you are there is always someone better, But on any given day the best player's out their can be beat. Just have fun and enjoy the game you grew to love. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
BillyKoda said:
your A game when you don't feel well. I still play a good game but not my best. My health has been going down hill for over 3 years and I'm at the point of giving pool up. Very frustrating. I'm going to a tournament today and will probably just watch because if I can't play the game that's the next best thing. I'm just venting but thanks for reading. :(
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I feel for ya bud. I usually play as good as I feel and I fight that constantly on and off the table
Nothing like winning 3 matches in a row and then have to sit idle for a couple hours. I feel better when I'm busy and sitting around takes the wind out my sails most of the time
 
I was never a great pool player but I have been getting much better over the years and still able to see little improvements at times.

I had a back op at 40 and now because of the car accident in Aug of last year, I find it difficult to stand for long periods of time because of my back and my right leg being numb and on fire at the same time.

Have to use the table to prop myself up on while walking some days and standing in front of the lathe for long periods also doesn't help.

Still, I love the game and always will as I always maintain that a bad day of pool is still much better than just about anything else I could figure out to spend my time.

Just try and keep up good thoughts and your spirits. And try not to get too down on yourself.
 
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PM me and I'll share what I have in information and resources.

BillyKoda said:
your A game when you don't feel well. I still play a good game but not my best. My health has been going down hill for over 3 years and I'm at the point of giving pool up. Very frustrating. I'm going to a tournament today and will probably just watch because if I can't play the game that's the next best thing. I'm just venting but thanks for reading. :(
Click to expand...

What type of health issue do you have? I'm heavily involved with some naturalistic doctors here in Dallas that have some fantastic theories if you're interested. I can also help you with your game as well. PM me and I'll share what I have in information and resources. Peace
 
My game was never great to begin with. Now that I'm diabetic it comes & goes depending on my blood sugar level...My wife has MS, so we both have problems. Still, pool is our main recreation. So, we keep stroking, trying to improve. What the hell...it's for fun, right?

The other night we chatted with a guy playing...he'd had an accident at work...a chunk of steel through one eye! He said the odds are strong that the eye will be lost.

I figure if he's still playing, so will we...as long as we can somehow get to the table. :)
 
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mr8ball said:
I understand this completely. I have had back trouble for 28 years now and have tried to play with it for a long time. One thing about a bad back is you never know when it is going to hurt the worst. Like you said you can play like an A player and all of a sudden you look like you have never held a stick. Unless you have had health issues you can never relate to things like this. I just play the best I can at the time and except it when I don't play as good as I know I can when it happens. I love playing people that know I have this trouble because they never know what player will show up and they know it is always a chance of them getting beat. Just play you best and enjoy the game all you can. One thing for sure. No matter how good you are there is always someone better, But on any given day the best player's out their can be beat. Just have fun and enjoy the game you grew to love. :thumbup::thumbup:
Click to expand...

I was going to write nearly the same thing:thumbup:
I wanted to add that winning is not so important to me as it once was.
I still play every shot to the best of my ability, but if someone outplays me I don't get upset.
In fact I learned a great lesson from a terrific player here in Az. named Mike Pankov.
He was gracious enough to play me several times, {I don't gamble} even though he is a much better player than me.
One day he was trying some new things, I was getting some rolls and playing about as good as I ever played, and I won a couple of games .
Usually that means you get a scathing speech and asked if you want to play some for money and see what it's like and all that nonsense.
Mike on the other hand, complimented me , shook my hand so hard I felt it the next day and was genuinely happy that I had a moment of sunshine after being terribly sick for so long.
I will try to live up to the standard he set that day, what a different world this would be if we
all treated each other as kindly.
Make no mistake , Mike is as hard a competitor as anyone I ever met, but he is also a gentleman.
 
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This is shaping up to be.....

Perhaps one of my favorite posts ever on AZ. It likely won't get too much longer than it is now but it's damn insightful for such a short post. Thanks guys
 
I remember trying to play after severe arthritis welcomed itself into my life. I hurt so bad I could barely stand at the table. I literally went home and cried, the one thing that had been a constant in my life was now gone - pool.

I take a high powered drug once a week and is the only reason I can play again. I couldn't take it last week due to the flu and this week once again I cannot play due to pain. I tried last night and gave up after 30 minutes.

Its a terrible feeling to be robbed of the game you love... hang in there.
 
Play

I have some physical issues(spine) and a few dead spots in my brain that don't help my game a bit. However, the time I spend at the table helps me to focus and really lets me leave my day behind. As long as I or someone can drag me to the table I will continue to play. It isn't a matter of wasting talent either, I am a poor player compared to most on here. The game just means a lot to me. Play on.
 
mr8ball said:
I understand this completely. I have had back trouble for 28 years now and have tried to play with it for a long time. One thing about a bad back is you never know when it is going to hurt the worst. Like you said you can play like an A player and all of a sudden you look like you have never held a stick. Unless you have had health issues you can never relate to things like this. I just play the best I can at the time and except it when I don't play as good as I know I can when it happens. I love playing people that know I have this trouble because they never know what player will show up and they know it is always a chance of them getting beat. Just play you best and enjoy the game all you can. One thing for sure. No matter how good you are there is always someone better, But on any given day the best player's out their can be beat. Just have fun and enjoy the game you grew to love. :thumbup::thumbup:
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Your post sounds so close to my situation. I've suffered with a bad back for years and its really affected my pool game the last couple of years. I play in a 9 ball league which is divided up into AA, A, and B players and I'm rated at a AA handicap. When I feel good I can play with and beat any of the other AA players, but when my back is hurting and I'm feeling kind of stiff I usually get beat. People who don't have health issues are so lucky to be able to play and enjoy the game and I just deal with my health problems and do the best I can!

James
 
SCCues said:
Your post sounds so close to my situation. I've suffered with a bad back for years and its really affected my pool game the last couple of years. I play in a 9 ball league which is divided up into AA, A, and B players and I'm rated at a AA handicap. When I feel good I can play with and beat any of the other AA players, but when my back is hurting and I'm feeling kind of stiff I usually get beat. People who don't have health issues are so lucky to be able to play and enjoy the game and I just deal with my health problems and do the best I can!

James
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Love everyone's attitude here, as a guy that has pretty new problems it's an inspiration. Thanks guys
 
Circle of life

It is humbling to hear all who posted with health issues. (I get a good sense of your love for the game) One has to truely "love the game" if they play in pain.
I am coming up on my 52nd birthday. I am a little too healthy if ya know what I mean. I guess I am lucky in that age has not afflicted me to date.

When I came into the pool-hall league, there was this 1 particular player that I wanted to play when I got better at the game. He had a penchant for making hard angle cut shots from anywhere onna 9ft table. He also liked to see those hidden 1 rails that most would need to go look at before they shot.
He quit last session, I seen him playing a s/l 2 player and having trouble holding the cue. I later found out he had been diagnosed with MS 4 months prior. Almost brought me to tears b/c I knew how much he liked to play.

Whether in not-so-good or good health, we should cherish the time God gives us to do that which we love. :)
 
SCCues said:
Your post sounds so close to my situation. I've suffered with a bad back for years and its really affected my pool game the last couple of years. I play in a 9 ball league which is divided up into AA, A, and B players and I'm rated at a AA handicap. When I feel good I can play with and beat any of the other AA players, but when my back is hurting and I'm feeling kind of stiff I usually get beat. People who don't have health issues are so lucky to be able to play and enjoy the game and I just deal with my health problems and do the best I can!

James
Click to expand...

James, I also played in the NAPA league. I think I am a 104 in 9 ball. I like you play as good as anyone when the pain is not real bad. I have played with a bad back for years now because it is the only thing left for me to do anymore. I love playing pool but hate to use my back as an excuse. It is what it is and I cant change it. For anyone that gets a back ache every now and then. Consider yourself lucky. Everyday back pain is so draining and unpredictable. Those who suffer with just enjoy the game and beat up on people every chance you get :D We only have this one life, so let all enjoy it and play the game we love the best we can :thumbup::thumbup:
 
book collector said:
I was going to write nearly the same thing:thumbup:
I wanted to add that winning is not so important to me as it once was.
I still play every shot to the best of my ability, but if someone outplays me I don't get upset.
In fact I learned a great lesson from a terrific player here in Az. named Mike Pankov.
He was gracious enough to play me several times, {I don't gamble} even though he is a much better player than me.
One day he was trying some new things, I was getting some rolls and playing about as good as I ever played, and I won a couple of games .
Usually that means you get a scathing speech and asked if you want to play some for money and see what it's like and all that nonsense.
Mike on the other hand, complimented me , shook my hand so hard I felt it the next day and was genuinely happy that I had a moment of sunshine after being terribly sick for so long.
I will try to live up to the standard he set that day, what a different world this would be if we
all treated each other as kindly.
Make no mistake , Mike is as hard a competitor as anyone I ever met, but he is also a gentleman.
Click to expand...

Some years back I developed the thing called the Stroketrainer. I was always catching grief about having such a good tool and not playing all that well. I never talked much about my back to those people because it would have not done any good. I don't gamble either. Not because I cant play but because I never know when my back will hurt so bad I cant bend over to shoot and would have to quit in the middle of a match. I use to go around and play in quite a few tournaments and remember having to quit still on the winners side because of it. I play with people in my area now and help any one that ask trying to keep this great game going. I don't beat on the one that cant play just to make myself feel good. I do however love beating the one's that do play to make me feel good :smile: I don't get upset if I loose and I don't jump around like a clown if I do. I also learned to be a gentleman at this game and treat others like I want to be treated. Happy Shooting
 
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